Plan at a glance
A region made up of many islands
Shengsi is not a compact city route. Common trips include Sijiao Island, the main island, and separate outlying islands such as Gouqi, Shengshan and Huaniao. Each island has its own port, sailing schedule, attraction tickets and local transport. They cannot be covered with one ticket or one loop.
Boats to the Shengsi islands usually leave from Shanghai Shenjiawan Passenger Terminal or Zhujiajian Wugongshi Pier in Zhoushan. Allow about two days for Sijiao Island. If you add an outlying island, add at least one or two nights, and fix the outbound and return boats before choosing accommodation and attractions.
Tickets and boat schedules shape the trip
Jihu Beach, Liuhe Chaoyang and other Sijiao attractions sell their own tickets. Paid places on Gouqi, Shengshan and Huaniao also have separate arrangements. Boats, attraction admission, island sightseeing vehicles and accommodation are not bundled; calculate each island separately.
Wind, fog and visibility can interrupt island boats, and tickets are tight in peak periods. Arrange boats through passenger channels such as “Shengsi Passenger Transport,” considering the outbound and return together. If the sailing changes, the order of the trip must be able to change as well.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
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Sijiao Island: beaches, coast roads and viewpoints
Sijiao is the easier island for a first trip. You can choose Jihu Beach, the Left Bank Road, coastal villages and Liuhe Chaoyang. Beaches work for sand and rest, the coast road suits cycling or short walks, and Liujingtan and Heshangtao focus on cliffs, lighthouses and coastal paths.
Sijiao suits first-time visitors, families and anyone who does not want frequent boat transfers. The island's attractions are still spread out, so include road time and waiting in the plan.
Gouqi, Shengshan and Huaniao
Gouqi and Shengshan are connected by the Sanjiaojiang Bridge and can be planned in one trip. Their coasts, aquaculture scenery, Dongya Cliff and Houtouwan Village have different walking and ticket arrangements. Huaniao is a separate island, with its own boat and local sightseeing-vehicle plan.
These outlying islands suit visitors interested in coastal photography, villages and walking, and people comfortable with limited supplies, changing sailing times and longer travel. Anyone who needs minute-by-minute connections, is prone to seasickness or expects full city services should leave more buffer.
Choosing an island
With limited time, stay on Sijiao and divide the beach and coastal attractions over two days. With two or more nights, consider Gouqi and Shengshan. If the lighthouse and villages of Huaniao are the priority, set aside a separate boat and accommodation plan.
Sijiao, Huaniao, Gouqi and Shengshan need to be planned as separate islands. Sea distances, transfers and the return sailing determine how much time you actually have at each place.
Build your day
Two days focused on Sijiao
After arriving at Lizhushan Pier, go to your accommodation and leave your luggage. In the afternoon, visit Jihu Beach or a section of the Left Bank Road, then stop at an open coastal location in the evening. On the second day, leave early for Liuhe Chaoyang or another viewpoint, then return to the pier according to the departure boat.
Sijiao attractions have separate entrances. If you want to combine a beach, village and cliff path, schedule the early-opening viewpoint first and leave the beach or coast road for later.
Three days or more: the main island plus one outlying island
Use the first day for transport and rest on Sijiao, take a boat to Gouqi or Shengshan on the second day, and return on the third day. The Sanjiaojiang Bridge connects Gouqi and Shengshan, but you still need time for taxis, buses and walking on the islands.
If you choose Huaniao, treat it as a separate section. Do not assume that it can be combined smoothly with Gouqi or Shengshan in one day; island boats and weather changes can remove the buffer from a same-day transfer.
Boats first, then accommodation and attractions
Boat schedules are the easiest part of a Shengsi trip to disrupt. Fix the outbound and return boats, then arrange tickets, viewpoints and meals. On the return day, place the last attraction near the pier rather than at the end of a long drive or boat transfer.
Get there
From Shanghai or Zhoushan's main island
From Shanghai, travellers usually go to Shenjiawan Passenger Terminal and take a boat to Sijiao or another island. Boats also leave from Zhujiajian Wugongshi Pier. Boat type, arrival port and vehicle-carrying rules differ, so confirm the destination island and port when booking.
There is no metro in Shengsi. A Shanghai coach-and-boat connection includes the land section from Nanpu Bridge Passenger Station to Shenjiawan, so calculate the coach, waiting and sea time together.
Local transport
On Sijiao, Route 201 and other buses can connect the pier with the town. Some areas also have shared electric bikes or rental vehicles; buses, taxis and vehicle supply are more limited on the outlying islands. Check the battery, return location and night-use restrictions before cycling, and do not rely on finding a vehicle at a remote beach.
The islands are not connected by roads. The Sanjiaojiang Bridge is a local exception between Gouqi and Shengshan; reaching Huaniao, Sijiao or another island still requires the relevant boat.
Know before you go
Boats and weather
Strong wind, fog and typhoons can stop, delay or reroute boats. Confirm the sailing on the day of departure, and choose accommodation that can be adjusted if possible. If you are stranded longer, have basic medicine and everyday supplies with you.
Weather affects sea colour, sunrise, sunset and visibility. Keep an alternative plan that does not depend on seeing a particular colour or light.
Supplies and island spending
Food, medicine and daily supplies are more limited on the outlying islands. Carry enough water and simple food for longer transfers. Confirm prices and the charging method before ordering seafood; options and opening times vary by area.
Taxi and rental-vehicle prices and return points follow local arrangements. Confirm the return before cycling to a remote beach, and arrange a vehicle in advance for night travel rather than relying only on a last-minute taxi.
Tickets, walking and the return boat
Jihu Beach, Liuhe Chaoyang, Dongya Cliff and Houtouwan Village each have their own ticket and opening arrangements. Paths, slopes and beaches use energy, so older adults and children may need fewer stops.
Shengsi needs room for weather and boat changes. On a day when you still need to catch a boat, separate the time for sightseeing, food, collecting luggage and travelling to the pier. Do not leave the attraction on the edge of the departure time.